- Joined
- Aug 14, 2008
I didn’t realize this was a 2006 thread until I got to page 2
Neither did I, but the same things apply now as then.
I didn’t realize this was a 2006 thread until I got to page 2
Don't worry - this particular topic never gets old, and will always be open to debate. I think I did a thorough enough evaluation before buying DVC in 2011, but I always reevaluate every year, and re-forecast my spreadsheet numbers for the next 5 to 10 years. Since the DW and I were already empty-nesters when we purchased, and we knew that trips with the grandchildren would not be happening until 2020 or later, we had a different set of criteria for our decision making. When our kids were of prime Disney age (~7-17), we could only afford a Disney vacation every three years or so, and the initial buy-in to DVC was a bit ambitious for us, as we used our money back then for other things like mortgage/groceries/tuitionNeither did I, but the same things apply now as then.
Sorry to see you leave the DVC; could you PM me with info. on what you may be selling?You don't really save money. The whole system is predicated on the fact that you vacation at Disney every year (or maybe every other). Disney is fun, but there is a whole world out there with a ton of great experiences as well. Because you go more often you tend to spend the money that would normally go to a hotel on other experiences on profit.
I am in the process of selling my contract after about 4 years. The prices are up on resale (probably net about 30% profit after commissions).
The things driving my sale:
1.) Ticket prices in the past 5 years have increased at a rate much greater than inflation.
2.) Annual Dues, which you have to pay are also increasing at a rate much greater than inflation. The current trend is not looking good.
3.) Disney is nickle and diming everything... parking fees, upcharges, special event pricing, etc.
4.) Deluxe resorts but the rooms are not maintained in a Deluxe manner
We have a great time there and will go back in the future but DVC is not the bargain it once was.
You don't really save money. The whole system is predicated on the fact that you vacation at Disney every year (or maybe every other). Disney is fun, but there is a whole world out there with a ton of great experiences as well. Because you go more often you tend to spend the money that would normally go to a hotel on other experiences on profit.
I am in the process of selling my contract after about 4 years. The prices are up on resale (probably net about 30% profit after commissions).
The things driving my sale:
1.) Ticket prices in the past 5 years have increased at a rate much greater than inflation.
2.) Annual Dues, which you have to pay are also increasing at a rate much greater than inflation. The current trend is not looking good.
3.) Disney is nickle and diming everything... parking fees, upcharges, special event pricing, etc.
4.) Deluxe resorts but the rooms are not maintained in a Deluxe manner
We have a great time there and will go back in the future but DVC is not the bargain it once was.
I have noticed in the year and a half of ownership that I have had that DVC has already changed my approach to Disney more than save me money. I was talking to my boss who is putting in over $11000 for his trip to Disney over winter break. Compared to him, I'm saving thousands. But he is doing a one and done trip where he wants to go on many rides, eat as many meals as possible, go to the bippidi boppidi boutique, and the whole nine yards. I'm only going because we got a great deal on annual passes and will be down there anyway, despite having already been to Disney 4 times in the past 3 years. Honestly, I'm most looking forward to ordering pizza and having a few beverages on the balcony.
Disney has turned into a relaxation vacation for me, where if I get on rides then great, and if not then that's fine as well. Compared to before ownership, it's a much different sort of trip.
I have noticed in the year and a half of ownership that I have had that DVC has already changed my approach to Disney more than save me money. I was talking to my boss who is putting in over $11000 for his trip to Disney over winter break. Compared to him, I'm saving thousands. But he is doing a one and done trip where he wants to go on many rides, eat as many meals as possible, go to the bippidi boppidi boutique, and the whole nine yards. I'm only going because we got a great deal on annual passes and will be down there anyway, despite having already been to Disney 4 times in the past 3 years. Honestly, I'm most looking forward to ordering pizza and having a few beverages on the balcony.
Disney has turned into a relaxation vacation for me, where if I get on rides then great, and if not then that's fine as well. Compared to before ownership, it's a much different sort of trip.
I agree with this also. I'm done with ADRs etc. This year the 4 of us just had a few on a 10 night trip. We spent a lot of time in resort, only did generally half days at parks, ordered $250 of groceries and drinks, took sandwiches into the park, ate breakfast in the room and ate mostly quick serve. We spent about $35 a head per day including the shopping.
And here is the thing. Rather than tearing across parks/ resorts to wait even with ADRs for mainly mediocre and overpriced food, we all just enjoyed walking out of Boardwalk, into Epcot, relaxing quick serve, wondering around and Fastpasses on the fly.
In fact the best day we had was we had Fastpasses at Epcot then an ADR but we'd done most of Epcot rides the day before. My wife said she wanted to go to Yoga, then she and my daughter wanted to go on some gentle rides. This was night before. So I got Fastpasses the night before for Small World, Peter Pan and Pirates. Me and the kids hit the park at 8 went on Space, Splash, Thunder, Haunted Mansion before we met my wife at 10. Then we did the Fastpasses and a chicken pot pie at Columbia Harbour House which was about my favourite meal all trip. I fastpassed on the fly a few more rides and we went home at 2. Relaxed by pool before wandering to Japan quick serve where we sat in their nice garden area. Fastpassed Testrack on the fly, then back to Boardwalk to relax. Very relaxing, did all we wanted, didn't spend much and none of it was planned until the evening before.
And mobile ordering has been a game changer too.For me the QS options have improved enough to be just fine as the plan for dining. Then if we decide we want a sit down we'll take a look at what's available last minute . There's always been something appealing.
I agree with this also. I'm done with ADRs etc. This year the 4 of us just had a few on a 10 night trip. We spent a lot of time in resort, only did generally half days at parks, ordered $250 of groceries and drinks, took sandwiches into the park, ate breakfast in the room and ate mostly quick serve. We spent about $35 a head per day including the shopping.
And here is the thing. Rather than tearing across parks/ resorts to wait even with ADRs for mainly mediocre and overpriced food, we all just enjoyed walking out of Boardwalk, into Epcot, relaxing quick serve, wondering around and Fastpasses on the fly.
In fact the best day we had was we had Fastpasses at Epcot then an ADR but we'd done most of Epcot rides the day before. My wife said she wanted to go to Yoga, then she and my daughter wanted to go on some gentle rides. This was night before. So I got Fastpasses the night before for Small World, Peter Pan and Pirates. Me and the kids hit the park at 8 went on Space, Splash, Thunder, Haunted Mansion before we met my wife at 10. Then we did the Fastpasses and a chicken pot pie at Columbia Harbour House which was about my favourite meal all trip. I fastpassed on the fly a few more rides and we went home at 2. Relaxed by pool before wandering to Japan quick serve where we sat in their nice garden area. Fastpassed Testrack on the fly, then back to Boardwalk to relax. Very relaxing, did all we wanted, didn't spend much and none of it was planned until the evening before.
Yes it's lovely, particularly with a Mac n cheese side and the green beans. Adam Hatton on YouTube recommend it and it was a great recommendation !I enjoyed it as well when we were there in October.
Disney sells DVC because it is in Disney's best interest to do so. Just like in Vegas, the Mouse always comes out ahead.
Disney sells DVC because it is in Disney's best interest to do so. Just like in Vegas, the Mouse always comes out ahead.
Well yeah. Why would they keep selling something that loses them money, especially on their highly valuable real estate?
Obviously having rooms within the Disney bubble prepaid for 50 years is a good business move on their part. The question is, does buying those rooms end up being a good financial decision compared to just vacationing there every few years? The answer to that as question will vary from person to person.